Hollow shoe form and method of making the same



July 13, 1937. L. w. REINHARDT HOLLOW SHOE FORM AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 10, 1936 Inventor lou'ismfleinha Patented July 13, 1937 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLLOW SHOE FORM AND METHOD OF DIAKING THE SAME 7 Application April 10, 1936, Serial No. 73,777

17 Claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in hollow shoe forms of sized textiles and to methods for making the same.

Buckram forms have been quite widely accept- 5 I ed as superior to forms of celluloid, pulp and the like in spite of certain problems which may be considered with reference to forms of the type under consideration generally and to the form shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. l,27l,'filed January 11, 1935 now Patent No. 2,039,261, granted April 28, 1936, specifically.

A source of these problems is found in the appearance of the forms for the exposed rear edge of the form is visibly rough. Attempts toeliminate this condition which was considered inconsistent with the otherwise tailored appearance of these forms involved the folding in of the material along the rear edge. This presented a, double thickness which was noticeable even after the form had been lodged within the shoe.

I have solved this problem by utilizing doubleended blanks, which, when folded and molded as will later be fully described, presents a form having a smooth rear exposed edge without any bulging thickness that would defeat the purposes of these forms.

My invention while effectively solving the problem also solves a problem involved in the manufacture of shoe forms in accordance with my invention disclosed in the above mentioned application. In that application I have shown a particularly satisfactory form in which the disposition of the excess stock developed. in molding the forms about a last is in plaits which do not protrude beyond the plane defined by the adjacent bottom flange portions.

The difliculty involved in disposing of this excess stock or slackage into reinforcing plaits varies with the stock used and the double thick- 40 ness utilized in accordance with my present invention frequently emphasizes this difficulty.

While I contemplate, in preferred embodiments of my invention, that the double thickness will present the appearance and strength of heavier stock, this same result may be attained while avoiding the difliculty in plait-forming by making one portion of the double ended blank shorter so that the inner member presents less stock to dispose of into plaits than the outer or longer portion, which inner plaits will permit an invisible reinforcement for the exposed plaits or fold the front portion of the bottom flange of finished forms. 7

In the drawing I have illustrated my invention both with reference, to the. form itself and to methodical steps of production. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a View of a hollow shoe form of the type under consideration.

Fig. 2 is a View of a cut-out blank used in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 3 is a view of the blank shown in Fig. 2 folded for use.

Fig. 4 is a view of a form made from such a piece and molded over the last, and

Fig. 5 is a view of the flange construction as viewed from the inside of such a form.

In the manufacture of these forms, double ended blanks are died out of textile stock preferably presized such as buckram. The stock used is, of course, dependent on the characteristics desired in the molded form. Commercially the stock is characterized by the number of component plies.

In brief, my invention contemplates a sized blank of a predetermined number of plies and having an end closed by at least one ply. For the manufacture of theseforms my invention may be effectively carried out by the use of presized stock from which blanks having approximately similarly shaped portions l and 2 are died out. When moistened, the blank may be folded along the fold line indicated at 3 and they readily adhere one to the other (Figs. 2 and 3). The portions I and 2 may be at this time considered as substantially identical in shape as in preferred embodiments, when the form is molded, the edges of the portions l and 2 present an edge consistent with that presented by conventional stock of the same number of plies as that presented by the portions l and 2 when folded together.

This method not only permits the provision of a stock of a desired number of plies with the desired smooth closed end A, but also it permits 1 the number of plies to be decreased where desired as for purposes now to be described.

As above indicated, the stock used, when moistened, may be molded about a last 4 preferably having a cavity C in the bottom thereof adjacent the toe. Molding operations are fully described in my co-pending application to which I have already made reference.

In substance, the molding involves the drawing of the material around the last 4 to shape the upper 5. The blank preferably includes surficient stock so that a substantial bottom flange 6 may be provided. As it is developed, the flange 6 is secured to the. bottom of the last adhesion. In the forward portion, molding results in the development of an excess of stock which I dispose of in plaits I. These may be forced into the cavity 0 or reduced by pressure so that the folds or plaits I do not protrude beyond the plane of adjacent flange surfaces.

The disposition of the excess stock in this manner is of real advantage as it results in a satisfactory reinforcing flange which was not possible so long as the fullness of the folds protruded or were cut out. The difficulty of thus disposing of the excess stock or slackage increases with the thickness of the stock used and as I usually use a relatively heavy stock, the formation of the folds or plaits i presents a potential difliculty. For that reason and in accordance with my invention, the portion 2 is shorter than the portion l as will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 so that the stock to be disposed of may be more easily plaited.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a typical and satisfactory form made in accordance with my invention in which this aspect of my invention is shown. The difference between the portions l and 2 as viewed from the inside of the form is apparent. The folds I of the outside portion i include in only part of their length the folds l of the inner portion 2. While the folds l may be shorter or even completely eliminated, the folds are not excessively hard to dispose of and reinforce the folds l. The difference between the portions l and Z is not here apparent from the exterior.

While it is not in one sense essential that the rest of the edge of the flange 6 present the appearance of a single piece of material, any difference between the portions l and 2 is apparent requiring the added labor cost and material waste of trimming the edges.

After the form has been molded as above indicated, the forms may be removed after the sizing has set. A spring 8 is secured as at 9 (Fig. 1) and the form is complete.

It will be appreciated that my invention is not limited to the use of buckram by which term I means any presized textile. The blanks may be cut from unsized stock, sized, and then molded. While this permits the building up of either or both of the portions i and 2 to any desired number of plies, I find, in practice, that. the use of presized textiles is satisfactory in every way so that, for example, if I wish to make a form of six ply buckram, I use three ply buckram.

In accordance with my invention, I am able to provide a form of molded textile stock which is more acceptable due to its improved strength and appearance without materially affecting production costs.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile material, said flange in its front portion including a plurality of folds comprising excess material developed in molding said form, and the front portion of at least one of said plies terminating within the edge of the exterior plies to reduce the bulk of said folds and to facilitate their formation.

2. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile material, said flange in its front portion including a plurality of folds comprising excess material developed in molding said form,

the front portion of at least one of said plies. terminating within the edge of the exterior plies to reduce the bulk of said folds and to facilitate their formation and to lie in supporting relation thereto.

3. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile material, said flange in its front portion including a plurality of folds comprising excess material developed in molding said form and disposed in continuance of the contact plane defined by adjacent flange surfaces, and the front portion of at least one of said plies terminating within the edge of the exterior plies to reduce the bulk of said folds and to fae cilitate their formation.

4. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile material, said flange in its front portion including a plurality of folds comprising excess material developed in molding said form and disposed in continuance of the contact plane defined by adjacent flange surfaces, the front portion of at least one of said plies terminating within the edge of the exterior plies to reduce the bulk of said folds and to facilitate their formation and to lie in supporting relation thereto.

5. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile stock, at least one of said plies constituting an exterior and interior wall to present a smooth rear edge of said form.

6. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a blank, in folding said blank upon itself to provide a conventionally shaped blank having a closed end, in molding said blank about a last to shape the upper and flange of said form, and in removing said form when said sizing has set.

'7. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a double ended blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and a sole flange and the other end portion adapted to provide an upper, in folding said portions together, in molding said portions about a last to shape an upper of double thickness and a flange, and in removing said form when said sizing has set.

8. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a double ended blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and a sole flange and the other end portion adapted to establish, when said portions are folded together, a blank of conventional shape having a double thickness except along the front edge of said first named portion, in folding said portions together, in molding said blank when wet about a last to form an upper and a sole flange, and in disposing of the excess material developed in molding the form in folds in the forward part of the flange.

9. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a double ended blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and a sole flange and the other end portion adapted to establish, when said portions are folded together, a blank of conventional shape having a double thickness except along the front edge of said first named portion, in folding said portions together, in molding said blank when wet about a last to form an upper and a sole flange, and in disposing of H the excess material developed in molding the form in folds in the forward part of the flange so that said folds do not protrude beyond the plane of adjacent flange surfaces.

10. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a double ended blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and a sole flange and the other end portion adapted to establish, when said portions are folded together, a blank of conventional shape having a double thickness except along the front edge of said first named portion, in folding said portions together, in molding said blank when Wet about a last to form an upper and a sole flange, and in disposing of the excess material of single and double thickness developed in molding the form in folds in the forward part of the flange.

11. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing from sized textile stock a double ended blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and a sole flange and the other end portion adapted to establish, when said portions are folded together, a blank of conventional shape having a double thickness except along the front edge of said first named portion, in folding said portions together, in molding said blank when wet about a last to form an upper and a sole flange, and in disposing of the excess material of single and double thickness developed in molding the form in folds in the forward part of the flange so that said folds do not protrude beyond the plane of adjacent flange surfaces.

12. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing a sized double ended textile blank, one end portion of said blank being shaped to provide an upper and a sole, flange and the other end portion of said blank being ll) shaped substantially identical to said first named portion, in folding said portions together when Wet and molding said folded blank about a last.

13. That method of making hollow shoe forms that consists of establishing a sized double ended textile blank having one end portion shaped to provide an upper and sole flange and the other end portion being shaped to provide an upper, in folding said portions together when wet, and in molding said folded blank about a last, said .last named portion including stock to establish a double flange thickness where desired.

14. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile stock, at least one of said plies constituting an exterior and interior, Wall of said upper to establish a form having a smooth upper and rear edge.

15. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said flange consisting of a plurality of plies of sized textile stock, at least one of said plies constituting an exterior and interior wall of said upper to establish a form having a smooth upper and rear edge, and an exterior and interior flange wall, said last named flange wall being terminated within said first named flange Wall where desired.

16. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said sole flange comprising sized textile stock consisting of a blank disposed to effect a double ply having a closed end, the edges of said blank establishing said flange.

17. A molded hollow shoe form comprising an upper and integral sole flange, said upper and said soleflange comprising sized textile stock consisting of a blank disposed to effect a double ply having a closed end, one edge of said blank establishing said flange, and the other edge of said blank reinforcing said flange where desired.

LOUIS W. REINHARDT. 

